An Ethnographic Approach to Nature-based Tourism

This article discusses the application of the ethnographic approach in the study of nature-based tourism. The need to unfold the ethnographic research process is important in order to develop the method further in tourism studies. The use of ethnographic methodology allows us to understand touristic ways of using forest from new angles and the discussion is illustrated by a case study conducted among wilderness guides working with international tourist groups. New insights can be reached by participating in the activities studied, by analysing the context of the activities, and by adhering to reflexivity during the research process. The reflexive ethnographic research process highlights the importance of gaining knowledge on how tourist practices evolve during the training of guides, in interaction taking place within tourist groups, and when using the infrastructure of forests in a creative manner.